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- Tasks: Lead and innovate performance support services for athletes aiming for Olympic success.
- Company: Paddle UK, a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to excellence in water sports.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, free parking, pension scheme, and employee benefits platform.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team focused on meaningful change and strategic impact.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on athlete development and performance at the highest level.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in Sport Science or Medicine with proven leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: National Water Sports Centre, Nottingham (with strategic oversight of Lee Valley, London)
Working Pattern: 37 hours per week, Travel including international travel may be required
Reports to: Performance Director (Flatwater)
Paddle UK has set ambitious targets for L.A. 2028 and Brisbane 2032. In conjunction with our coaches, paddlers, and support staff, we aim to create the very best environment to deliver performance while taking a person-centred approach to development. We are looking for an exceptional leader to act as a key bridge, ensuring our practitioner workflows and specialist skills are optimally utilised to yield the desired performance impact.
What the Role Involves
- Strategic Leadership: Provide direction to the Performance Support Team (PST) across both Flatwater and Slalom programmes to ensure knowledge transfer and delivery of cross-discipline projects.
- Performance Integration: Co-ordinate and challenge the PST to develop support services that positively impact athlete development and Olympic/Paralympic performance.
- Clinical Governance: Lead the health team and drive initiatives that ensure sound clinical governance and effective management of complex clinical presentations.
- System Innovation: Act as the lead contact for wider system expertise, managing relationships with partners like TASS and universities to drive innovation.
- Operational Oversight: Support budgetary decision-making and co-ordinate the delivery of training plans, athlete profiling, and bespoke performance projects.
About You
We are looking for a sharp strategic thinker who is ego-less and thrives on solving complex problems within a high-performance environment. You’ll need:
- Proven Leadership: A minimum of 4 years post-graduate experience in Sport Science, Medicine, or a related field, with a track record of leading interdisciplinary teams.
- Technical Breadth: Strong cross-discipline technical knowledge, including medical understanding and the ability to utilise data insights to inform training interventions.
- Impactful Communication: Skilled in building productive relationships and confident in checking or challenging the actions of others in a non-confrontational manner.
- Accountability: The ability to lead projects and hold cross-functional partners accountable for results while dealing effectively with uncertainty.
Why Join Us?
This is a crucial role in delivering against our medal targets and wider Paddle UK strategy. You will join a team that values:
- Meaningful Change: A culture that encourages curiosity and the challenging of established thinking to achieve world-leading outcomes.
- Collaborative Success: Direct influence over a dedicated team of practitioners and a key role in shaping the performance culture toward 2028 and 2032.
- Strategic Impact: The opportunity to bridge programmes and create a unified approach to performance excellence across the UK.
- Modern Workspace: Access to elite facilities at the National Water Sports Centre with free onsite parking.
25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays Free onsite parking and bike storage Company pension scheme Employee benefits platform (including Bike to Work, Health and Wellbeing and discounts)
Head of Performance Support employer: Paddle UK
Contact Detail:
Paddle UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Performance Support
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Paddle UK and understanding their goals for L.A. 2028 and Brisbane 2032. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission and how you can contribute to their performance support team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Being able to articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently is key, especially when discussing complex topics. Consider mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Paddle UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Performance Support
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in performance support and leadership. We want to see how your skills align with our goals for L.A. 2028 and Brisbane 2032!
Showcase Your Impact: When detailing your past roles, focus on the impact you've made. Use specific examples of how you've led teams or improved performance outcomes. We love seeing quantifiable results!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who is ego-less and thrives in a collaborative environment, so don’t be afraid to show us who you are!
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Paddle UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of performance support, especially in relation to Olympic and Paralympic contexts. Brush up on your knowledge of both Flatwater and Slalom programmes, as well as any recent innovations in sports science that could impact athlete development.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, particularly in interdisciplinary settings. Think about times when you’ve successfully led a team through complex challenges and how you’ve fostered collaboration among diverse skill sets.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Since impactful communication is key for this role, consider how you can convey your ideas while also being open to feedback. Role-play with a friend to simulate challenging conversations.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be ready to discuss your approach to strategic oversight and how you would integrate various support services. Think about specific strategies you would implement to ensure optimal performance outcomes and be prepared to share your vision for the future.